Folding table



(No Model.)

H. H. ,WIGGERS. FOLDING TABLE.

No. 459,427. Patented Sept. 15, 1891.

finnnnnnnn IIIIIIIIJ V i UNITED STATES HENRY H. IVIGGERS, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 459,427, dated September 15, 1891.

' Application filed February 13, 1891, Serial No. 381,291. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY H. Wreenns, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a cheap light folding table which will stand firmly when opened out for use, and which may be quickly folded to be placed out of the way or for shipment. In tables of this class now in common use it has been found that, though they are made light enough for neatness of appearance and the uses for which theyareintended,theywere notstrong enough to stand firmly unless special looking or bracing devices were used, that these would soon get out of order, and that some trouble and care were necessary to fold and unfold the tables and adjust the braces and locks. WVith a view of overcoming these defects this invention has been made.

It consists of the construction, arrangement, and novel combination of the parts hereinafter described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings, in which similar letters of reference designate like partsin the different views, Figure 1 is an end View of the table unfolded for use. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same upon a diminished scale. Fig. 3 is a central vertical transverse section of the folded table upon the same scale as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail view in section, showing the manner of pivoting the legs.

The frame of the table consists of two pairs of legs A A, crossed at their longitudinal central portions and braced the proper distance apart by the stretcherB. The pivot-pins 1), upon which the outer legs turn to fold or unfold the lower and upper stretchers a a, are tenoned into the legs. The top 0 is centrally divided and the meeting edges beveled off upon the under side. The two halves of the top are connected by rule-hinges D, which are let in flush with the edges of the top at each end, and the leaf-hinge E, which is centrally secured underneath the top. The

top is connected to the frame by the straphinges F, which are secured to the under side of the top and to the sides of the legs.

The table is provided with an under shelf G, which is hinged to one of the stretchers a by leaf-hinges e. A chain or cord connects the free end of the shelf G with one part of the top near the central joint, so that the shelf G may be automatically turned up in the position shown in Fig. 3 by the act of ()0 folding the top. It will by gravity return to the horizontal position when the table-top is opened for use.- If desired, the shelf G and its connections may be omitted.

The stretcher B is preferably made of the proper length to fit snugly between the inner pair of legs A, and the pivot-pins b to pass through the legs A A and into the ends of the stretcher, in which they are secured by screw connection or by gluing. By this arrangement the legs may be framed together, the top hinged, and the legs and top connectedbefore the stretcher B is placed in position and the pivot-pin I) inserted.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by 7 5 Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the hinged top 0, the two pairs of legs A A, the stretchers bracing said legs, and the stretcher B, and the pins 11, 8o

pivotally connecting them, the hinged shelf G, hinged to one of the lower stretchers, and the chain H, connecting the hinged shelf and top, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination, in a folding table, of the two-part top, the rule-hinges D, connecting the parts, the legs A A, stretchers a a, rigidly connecting them, the stretcher B, and pins b, pivoting the logs, the hinges F, connecting the legs and top, the shelf G, the 0 hinges connecting it to one of the stretchers, and the chain II, connected at one end to the free end of the shelf and at the opposite end to the top near the center joint, substantially as shown and described.

HENRY H. NVIGGERS.

0 Witnesses:

FRANK S. DAVIS, GEO. J. MURRAY. 

